Hays City Commission Summary
Week of September 11, 2026
City commission adopts 2027 budget
Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate
Solid waste fee increases looming for residents
$2.6 million slated for 22nd Street reconstruction
City to reline century-old Lincoln Draw Tunnel
Airport upgrades planned for larger commercial aircraft
Surging guest taxes fund new park playgrounds
Final plat approved for Hess Second Addition
Federal tariff exemption for road salt benefits city
City commission adopts 2027 budget
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays City Commission approved the city's 2027 budget Thursday. The budget, described as a maintenance of operations, includes a 2 percent cost-of-living increase for employees and an increased employer contribution for health insurance. While the budget keeps the mill levy at or below 25 mills for the 18th consecutive year and marks the second consecutive year of a mill levy decrease, Commissioner David Vilaysing had previously advocated for conservative cuts during the budget process to minimize the tax burden.
Commission votes to exceed revenue neutral rate
HAYS, Kan. — In a related vote, commissioners approved a resolution to exceed the state-mandated revenue neutral rate for the 2027 budget year. Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser informed the commission that the city would need to cut approximately $133,000 in property tax revenue to remain revenue neutral. Bielser noted that the general fund does not levy a property tax and is instead primarily funded by sales tax, which makes up 62 percent of general fund operations thanks in part to Hays having one of the highest retail pull factors in Kansas.
Solid waste fee increases looming for residents
HAYS, Kan. — Hays residents may soon see an increase in their municipal solid waste fees as the city works to address rising costs. Deputy City Manager Collin Bielser noted during the budget hearing that the city's sanitation fee rate schedule has not been adjusted since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, causing the fund's purchasing power to erode significantly over the last several years. City staff is expected to present a new proposed rate structure for the commission's consideration in the coming months.
$2.6 million slated for 22nd Street reconstruction
HAYS, Kan. — The 2027 budget allocates substantial cash reserves for 17 capital improvement projects, highlighted by the $2.6 million reconstruction of 22nd Street from Vine Street to Canterbury Drive. In addition to the major street overhaul, the city has earmarked just over $1.5 million for comprehensive HVAC system upgrades at Hays City Hall and the Hays Public Works facility. By utilizing the Commission Capital Reserve fund, the city plans to pay for these major infrastructure improvements in cash rather than taking on long-term debt or raising the mill levy.
City to reline century-old Lincoln Draw Tunnel
HAYS, Kan. — As part of its 2027 stormwater management plan, the city will undertake a specialized project to reline the 100-year-old Lincoln Draw Tunnel. The 72-inch diameter tunnel, constructed of mortared red clay in the 1920s, follows a filled-in creek bed beneath the downtown area from 19th and Lincoln streets to the Montgomery Ditch. Contractors will apply a protective epoxy coating to the surface of the one-mile tunnel, an expensive but worthwhile investment designed to extend the life of the historic underground infrastructure and avoid the far greater cost of full replacement.
Airport upgrades planned for larger commercial aircraft
HAYS, Kan. — The Hays Regional Airport is slated for significant expansion in 2027 to accommodate larger commercial aircraft anticipated from SkyWest Airlines. The planned north apron expansion will feature a dedicated de-icing area and improve the separation between general aviation and commercial operations. The airport will also purchase a new $1.6 million aircraft rescue and firefighting truck, with the Federal Aviation Administration covering 90 percent of the costs for both the vehicle and the apron project.
Surging guest taxes fund new park playgrounds
HAYS, Kan. — Parks and recreation funding will receive a boost in 2027, driven by strong transient guest tax receipts collected by the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau. The budget includes a larger-than-usual transfer from the CVB to support the long-term viability of city parks and equipment. Anticipated investments for next year include $250,000 set aside for the purchase of new playground equipment at both East Frontier Park and Pratt Optimist Park.
Final plat approved for Hess Second Addition
HAYS, Kan. — Paving the way for prospective commercial development, the commission unanimously approved the final plat for the Hess Second Addition. Public Works Director Jesse Rohr presented the partial re-plat, which combines smaller parcels into larger lots on commercially zoned property located near Exit 157 at Interstate 70 and 230th Avenue. With water and sewer infrastructure already in place, Rohr noted the re-plat is the first step in accommodating potential new commercial construction at the site.
Federal tariff exemption for road salt benefits city
HAYS, Kan. — A federal tariff exemption on Canadian road salt championed by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran [1] will save the city from significant operational costs. Approximately 85 percent of the salt used by the Hays Public Works Department for winter road maintenance is sourced from Canada. Without the federal exemption, a 50 percent tariff would have been passed on to local municipalities, creating an unexpected burden on the city's operational budget.
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